“These kids have been playing since they were freshmen and sophomores and now they’re starting to become juniors and seniors,” Pearl City coach Mark Melville said.

“It’s their time shine.”

Melville also said a solid group of younger players will be added to the mix, giving the Wolves plenty of depth to compliment their experience and ability.

“We had five kids that were all-conference last year but we could have five different ones this year,” Melville said. “It just depends on who plays well for us.”

Like some other teams in the NUIC, the Wolves won’t be reliant on one go-to pitcher this season. Pearl City will go with the same trio of pitchers it did last year.

Fransen, Blasing and senior Meghan Stichter will again be counted on in the circle for PC.

“We don’t have one overpowering pitcher, but we hit our spots,” Melville said. “It just depends on who’s hot.”

As good as Pearl City looks, the NUIC West isn’t lacking teams that could challenge the Wolves for the title.

Eastland ended the Wolves’ season in the regional semifinals last year and has a new coach who’s no stranger to success. Kristy Pierce, who has led the Cougars to two state volleyball titles, takes over the softball program after not having coached the sport since 1986.

Pierce expects her team to be in the thick of the of the conference race.

“We’re heavy in the senior class and the freshmen class, so we have a big mix,” Pierce said. “The seniors, a lot of them were part of the team last year, so I think it’s safe to say that there’s a decent returning group coming back and they’re very eager to win.”

At the plate, Eastland will be counting on Delanie Giedd to have a bounce-back season as the team’s top run producer, while in the circle the Cougars will use several pitchers to try and keep them in games.

“(Giedd) did not hit well last year, but she’s hitting very well so far in the batting cages,” Pierce said. “She hits for power and she’s got a nice swing. Hopefully, we can count on her for some run production.

Page 2 of 2 - “We don’t have one dominating pitcher. We’re going to go with four most every game and do that part by committee. We’ve got a nice group.”

West Carroll, Eastland and Pearl City have been the three teams at or near the top of the West for the past several seasons, and West Carroll hopes to join the mix again.

“I’m hoping we can be up there,” Mathey said. “Hopefully we’ll be giving them a game.”

The only West team to win a regional title last season, Lena-Winslow, hopes to build off of its solid postseason and could potentially have a say in a deep division race.